Leave Lauterbrunnen heading southward and climb uphill past rock faces and the Staubbach waterfalls to Mürren. It is also possible to take the rack railway to Mürren. A gentle incline takes you to the Poganggen Alp and later the Sefinenfurgge gap, from where a first view of the Blüemlisalp opens out. Pass the Dürreberg peak and head down to Griesalp, the stage destination.

From Lauterbrunnen station, head into the valley for 350m. Then follow the diagonally climbing road towards the right to the Gryfenbach stream. Here, the mountain trail climbs steeply up to the houses at the foot of the Fluh. Walk past rocks and through woodland, crossing several streams including the Staubbach. This waterfall is the symbol of Lauterbrunnen. Continue upward along the side of the Lauterbunnental valley to reach the Grütschalp-Mürren railway tracks, which lead to the car-free Mürren. The world-renowned summer and winter spa resort lies on a mighty mountain terrace, more than 800m above the Lauterbrunnental valley and proud of its splendid view over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. From the train station, head through the village with its cosy houses decked in flowers, past the station of the Schilthorn funicular to the Mürrenbach stream. Here, leave Mürren behind and climb uphill across meadows and through a stretch of woodland to Gimmela, from where a beautiful view opens out into the upper Lauterbrunnental valley basin. Next, continue up to the Spielboden Alp. From here, a well built mountain trail, very exposed in places, leads around numerous hairpin bends over the flower-strewn rocky ridge to Bryndli, situated 200m higher up. Benches invite you to take a rest and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. In particular the Eiger and the Wetterhorn group are shown to their best advantage from here. The trail now leads on without any great changes in altitude along the side of the Wasenegg, over flowery mountain pastures and a few hollows to the Poganggen huts. From here, the trail heads along the side of the Hundshorn, initially on a moderate incline and later steeply up over a detritus cone to the Sefinenfurgge pass. Snow often lies here even far into the summer months. From the Sefinenfurgge pass, the mountain trail keeps to the right side of the valley. It first leads over steep detritus cones, secured with ropes and ladders. Just after the Obere Dürreberg alpine hut, cross the stream and walk on a wide, grassy cupola towards the valley with a magnificent view over the firns of the Blüemlis Alp, the Wilde Frau and the Dündenhorn. The trail winds its way over a ledge down to the Bürgli huts. Head along the alpine road to the Golderli and finally along a stony path to the Gries Alp. (Schweizer Wanderwege)

Natural and cultural heritage

LauterbrunnenWith a surface area of 141km2, Lauterbrunnen is the third biggest community in the canton of Bern. The municipality comprises the villages of Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg and Isenfluh. The village of Lauterbrunnen itself lies in a deep valley trough on both sides of the Weisse Lütschine river. It derives its name from the numerous clear springs that occur in the area, as “lauteren Brunnen” means “nothing but springs”. In 1395, ownership of the valley, which had previously belonged to noble families, was transferred to the monastery of Interlaken. At the time of the Reformation, the monastery was closed, and as of 1528 the Bernese landvogt for Interlaken governed over the valley population. In 1669, more than half of the inhabitants lost their lives to the plague. The steeply towering rock faces and the numerous waterfalls tumbling down from great heights give the valley a very special splendour. Albrecht von Haller visited Lauterbrunnen in about 1730. In his travel journal, he mentions that the Lauterbrunnen valley had inspired fear in him and his companions, and that they had felt just as if they were in the middle of a stormy sea. In 1779, Goethe stayed in the valley. He was so impressed by the magnificence of the Staubbachfall waterfall that he wrote his poem entitled “Gesang der Geister über den Wassern” (song of the spirits over the waters) under its influence.In 1487, the valley people built their own church. Today’s building dates back to the year 1832. The old schoolhouse accommodates the local history museum of the valley. Lauterbrunnen is the starting point for the Wengernalpbahn railway and the mountain funiculars to Grütschalp-Mürren. There is also a postal car connection to Stechelberg (Schilthornbahn cable car). MürrenMürren, the highest situated village to be populated all year round in the Bernese Oberland, was called Muren in the year 1256. The name can be traced back to the pre-Indogermanic word “murro”, meaning the “projecting rock” or “cairn, boulder”. As was the case all over the Lauterbrunnen valley, nobility also had a right to the land here, which was then ceded in 1395 to the monastery of Interlaken. The first guesthouse was built in 1857. The mountain funicular of Lauterbrunnen-Mürren started to operate in 1891. It was followed in 1912 by the funicular to Allmendhubel and, finally, in 1966, the Stechelberg-Mürren-Schilthorn aerial cable car. The Bond film “On Her Majesty's Secret Service” made this mountain famous as Piz Gloria. Mürren, like Wengen, is car-free. A memorial stone in the village centre reminds us of the British writer Arnold Lunn, who came to Mürren as a ski pioneer. (Schweizer Wanderwege)

If coming from Gspaltenhornehutte, the path to Sefinenfurgge is easy to follow. narrow trail at times, but is OK. Sefinenfurgge to Rotstockhutte is a flat trail, follows a stream. Murren is a very touristy town, good place to refuel before Lauterbrunnen. The path down to Lauterbrunnen has open huts that would be a good alternative to paying for lodging in the expensive Lauterbrunnen.
Schützenbach Backpackers & Camping is a good place to stay the night both camping and rooms available (be careful of campground in rain it floods).

Sam - 2015-10-12

The view on Sefinenfurgge is so awesome. The track to the pass is a bit difficult. I climbed up in late Sept, and it was covered by snow, so a bit slippy but excited. In Sefinenfurgge, I also saw a group of wild goats (Capra) they across the mountains … so amazing!!!

Trieste-Monaco on 01/09/14 Step hardly seems feasible 9am. the climb is long up to Murren and the altitude inn (Spielbodenalp) to finally reach Rotstockhütte and cervix is ​​not yet crossed. Bivouac in the pasture before Rotstockhütte. Starry Night shelter and froze the morning - 09/02/14 From The snow in place of the previous days and fog to cross the Sefinenfurgge. Attention to the markup. Caution for the descent in snow, scales were frozen. But what atmosphere! I cut through without reaching Bundstag Griesalp to join Bundlager, where the bivouac (below the farm). May refueling cheese Burgli, Oberi Bundalp, Bundlager. A Bundlager, if you just want to sleep this is not possible, compulsory half board! Too Bad!

Who wants to shorten the route, runs from Lauterbrunnen to Murren by train. Best food in the Rotstockhütte, overnight no DAV or SAC. Overnight in Griesalp: Berghaus Golderli. Tourists incl. Dinner and breakfast 62 Chf. Highly recommended!

I camped before Griesalp. But Griesalp is a path error. IT is better to go on Bundalp directly without passing Griesalp

remyo - 2013-06-21

Fredy Wipf posted a comment about the Bundalp which I appreciated and have booked our stay at Bundalp Berghaus. However, I would like to clarify the directions on how to most quickly get there from the Sefinenfurgge pass (the translation from German was not clear to me). Can any one please explain how to get there? I can't find this information anywhere else including on the Bundalp website.

joan - 2011-09-22

In Griesalp there is a good place for trekkers in Pension Golderli. They have a good attitude and small dortoirs with half board for 62 Sf. cash, 67 Sf. Visa. (September 2011)-

joan - 2011-09-22

In the expensive Mürren there is a good place to sleep, the Sport Chalet, in the village center. They have very good singles with views and breakfast for 50 Sf. (September 2011)

It concerns the stages Lauterbrunnen - Griesalp - Kandersteg.
The recommendation is to go after Griesalp not ideal for all users.
Financially Griesalp one of the most expensive places on the Via Alpina hike down the valley does not offer very interesting hike.
I have followed the following variant:
Sefinenfurgga from the normal way down, the direction Bundstäg Bundalp ascend to the upper Bundalp.
The upper Bundalp is a recommended, spend the night with cheaper rooms, dormitories and meals.
The rigorous climb to Hohtürli will be shortened. There is also the possibility of directly turning for the Sefinenfurgga. This I do not know, according to other hiking rewarding.

mcccliv - 2011-01-12

5oct2010: rain all day & snow on pass. Frightening descent from Sefinenfurgge in heavy fog, zero visibility, sheer cliff, on steep ladder and ropes. Could not have asked for more than hot hearty meal and deep sleep at http://naturfreundehaeuser.ch